Olympic Channel - Where the Games Never End

New global Olympic digital platform launched and app now available for download

3 min read|

Olympic Channel - Where the Games Never End

The Olympic Channel has launched to a global audience via a mobile app for Android and iOS devices and at olympicchannel.com.

This historic launch builds on the excitement of the Olympic Games Rio 2016 and follows the colourful celebration of the Closing Ceremony.

© Olympians Kaori Icho of Japan, Yusra Mardini of the Refugee Olympic Team, Arthur Nory Mariano of Brazil, Shaunae Miller of Bahamas and Pita Taufatofua of Tonga joined electronic music star Kygo to introduce the Olympic Channel during the Closing Ceremony. Getty Images

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The launch of Olympic Channel is a key milestone for the Olympic Movement and a result of Olympic Agenda 2020. It is the start of an exciting, new journey for athletes, fans and new generations to connect with sport and the Olympic values every day of the year.”

The Olympic Channel is a new, ground-breaking digital platform, where fans can experience the power of sport and the Olympic Movement all year round. It is inspired by sport with athletes at the heart of its programming.

Designed for a global audience, the Olympic Channel is launching with content from around the world including original shows, news and highlights. Premiering at launch to continue the excitement of the Olympic Games is “Viva 2016”, an exclusive behind-the-scenes-look at the production of an Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

In addition to the free digital platform, athletes and fans can follow Olympic Channel social media handles on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

In the build-up to the Olympic Channel launch, the IOC announced two Founding Partner agreements with Bridgestone and Toyota. The Founding Partner programme engages Worldwide TOP Partners in supporting the mission of the Olympic Channel by collaborating on branded content and other unique production partnerships to promote sport and the Olympic values.

About the Olympic Channel
The Olympic Channel is a digital-first, multiplatform global Olympic media entity, which aims to broadcast the Olympic Movement and its inherent values all year round, especially in the periods between the Olympic Games. The primary objectives of the Olympic Channel are the following:

Provide a platform for the continuous exposure of Olympic sports and athletes beyond the Olympic Games period and help create anticipation while providing opportunities to "re-live the experience" after the Games
Continuously highlight the relevance of the Olympic Movement's ideals to the challenges of today's world
Provide a platform for sharing the IOC's very rich patrimonial assets and archives with the world and create additional value and content for the IOC archives
As a matter of priority, engage the young generations around the world using methods that are relevant to them, building understanding, entertainment and education.

At launch, the Olympic Channel will be a digital platform, with on-demand content available across the web, mobile, tablet and other connected devices where fans can experience the power of sport and Olympism 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. Audiences will also be able to access content and engage through a variety of social media platforms as part of the Olympic Channel network.